Before Coming to the Airport:
Check the status of your flight by contacting your airline, or calling 1-800-PHL-GATE, or logging onto the Airport’s website, www.phl.org and clicking on Flight Information. Have your flight number handy.
Make sure you have all necessary travel documents, including a government-issued photo ID such as a valid driver’s license, passport, military ID, or a county, state or federal government employee ID. Photo ID is required for passengers age 18 and older.
It is generally suggested that passengers arrive at the Airport at least one hour prior to a domestic departure and two hours prior to an international departure. However, during the holiday period, you should allow extra time for checking in and passing through security screening.
Wheelchair and electric cart services are provided by the airlines, not the Airport. When making an airline reservation, travelers should advise their airline if they require these services and confirm the request prior to the day of departure. Airline personnel at the ticket counter will facilitate this service.
Carry-on baggage is generally limited to one piece of luggage and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase. The personal item must fit under your seat and the luggage must fit into the overhead bin or it will not be permitted on board. Passengers should check with their airline for specific carry-on baggage allowances.
If you are not checking baggage, it may not be necessary to wait in line at the ticket counter to obtain a boarding pass. Most airlines allow passengers to check in and print boarding passes from their websites, and some airlines have check-in kiosks at the Airport. Check with your airline prior to arriving at the Airport. Please confirm gate information upon arriving at the Airport, before proceeding to the security checkpoint.
At the Airport:
Checked baggage is subject to hand inspection. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends using locks that TSA screeners can open and re-lock to inspect baggage instead of breaking the lock. The TSA lists some “accepted and recognized locks” on its website, www.tsa.gov.
Consider eating at the Airport or picking up a carry-on meal and bottle of water for your flight once you have passed through the security checkpoint. Drinks are not permitted to be carried through the checkpoint. Most airlines charge for in-flight meals; some flights offer no food at all.
Security Screening:
Passengers must obtain boarding passes prior to entering the security checkpoint. Before entering the checkpoint, have boarding passes and photo ID ready for inspection by TSA personnel and keep these documents available until you exit the checkpoint.
To expedite your passage through the checkpoint, place cell phones, pagers, keys, PDAs (personal digital assistants), loose change, money clips, metal hair decorations, and metal jewelry in your carry-on baggage or in a plastic bag and place the bags on the X-ray machine conveyor belt.
PHL provides plastic bags in which to place small items that need to be passed through the X-ray machine. The bags are available at Information Counters or from Information representatives who will distribute bags to passengers prior to entering the checkpoint.
At the checkpoint, the TSA provides bins in which to place personal items and outerwear such as shoes, coats, jackets, suit jackets, sport coats, blazers and belts with metal buckles that must be removed and passed through the X-ray machine.
Remove laptops and video cameras with cassettes from their cases and place them in the bin to be X-rayed.
Equipment used to screen checked baggage damages undeveloped film. Pack undeveloped film in a carry-on bag. High speed and specialty film should be hand inspected at the security checkpoint. To facilitate hand-inspection, remove undeveloped film from the canister and pack in a clear plastic bag. Screening equipment will not affect digital cameras and electronic image storage cards.
Do not wrap gifts. They may have to be opened for inspection. This applies to both checked and carry-on items.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications are permitted. Medication, including diabetes-related supplies and equipment, must be properly marked with a professionally printed pharmaceutical label. Make sure all medications are placed in carry-ons. It is recommended that you check the TSA website for additional information.
The TSA has new regulations regarding liquids in carry-on baggage. Small amounts of liquids in containers of 3 oz. or less are permitted. The liquid containers must be placed in a clear, zip-lock, quart-size plastic bag, which must be removed from your carry-on bag.
For additional information on permitted and prohibited items, consult the TSA website www.tsa.gov, e-mail the TSA at TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov or call the TSA Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673.It is recommended that you check the TSA website often, since regulations can change at anytime
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